Rows of dusty stamp books were stacked upon a shelf
And a beautiful old oaken chest was standing by itself
Encyclopedia Britannica had seen some sweeter days
Surrounded by the china-ware in colourful displays.

The shop was bathed in shadows cast from intermittent light
And the sinking sun returned its mark on silver burnished bright
Relics from a grander time in leather-ware abounded
While ghosts of ancient travellers in photographs surrounded.

An Escritoire in walnut caught my connoisseurís eye
With carving deep and beautiful, and brass from days gone by
Mahogany and tortoise shell in patterns, made me start
Whoever built this priceless work was master of their art.

I squeezed between the sideboard and the bookcase made of ash
Beyond the peacock feathers and the stained glass window sash
Among the wallís great photographs I saw this gilded frame
Who was here depicted?Who had
this claim to fame?

The glass was of an older type that cast oneís own reflection
And so I moved much close up to read the old inscription
The writing was quite flowery, quite small upon the berm,
ďHenry B. Lloyd-Patterson, Founder of the FirmĒ.

The berm was made of cardboard and flecked with spots of brown
The inner edge was bevelled back, the top was sloping down
The frame was oak and painted gold, prepared with expert care
What was this relic worth today compared with other ware?

Perhaps the frame was worth a bit, but not at all uncommon
The glass could just be chucked away or used with less pretension
The photograph was worthless, a faded piece of junk
With a stupid dumb inscription, what a load of bunk.

Donít you know you stupid twit that burns are out of style?
Double-breasted coats like that have sure been gone a while.
If someone saw you in the street still sporting that moustache
They would turn away in fits, enough to make them laugh.

You make me sick and all your kind, you think that youíre so great
Brought up in luxury no doubt and never known defeat
You stand so straight you might have been an English toffee nose
Born to wealth and privilege, and mansions grandiose.

The Gentleman stared back at me, his gazing did not waver
There was something in his kindly face that made me start to wonder
He wasnít condemnatory, he didnít seem to care
Perhaps my weak opinions were another cross to bear.

I stared at him in silence, and he stared back at me,
I wish I knew what you were thinking, Mr Henry B.
You might have known my granddad here, and heís been gone a while
Why did you turn you head around and look at me and smile?

My goodness me, you photo man, you bloody made me jump!
Are you alive, or are you dead?
You made my heart go bump!
And as I stared into the glass I slowly saw reflected
An image of that gentle smile so beautifully depicted.

Being so professional and always in command
I slowly turned around to see her holding out her hand
It wasnít just that smile of hers, the smocking work inlay
Said, ďEmily M. Lloyd-Patterson, M Sc.B.A.Ē

I heard you talking to yourself, I think Iíll close the shop
Would you like a cup of tea, Iím sure youíd like to stop
I cannot leave for some while yet, the taxis all run late
Iíll sit here for an hour at least, they always make me wait.

Would you care to sit, kind Sir, I see that you admire
The photo of my loving Dad, mind if I enquire
Why do you think of him that way?You think his clothes are bad?
Did you think that pompous bugger could be someoneís Dad?

Dad left his country
Ireland
in the depths of its decline
He stowed upon the ďRavensdownĒ when he was only nine.
The captain caught him in the hold and said heíd send him back
But Dad jumped ship at Liverpool by hiding
in a sack.

Emily poured out the tea and glanced into my face
Her silvery hair was plaited up and held by bows of lace
Her face was lined but resolute, her eyes were wide and blurred
I stole a glance at Henry B. who heard her every word.

Dad knew his name was Henry, but he lost the other one
Thought it might have been McGuire or maybe Donaldson
She shrugged in distant memory and I knew that I was fading
This little girl was holding hands with someone she was loving.

Dad worked the wharves of London
for another single year
Then stowed on ďCartheginiaĒ without a single fear
He knew too well the consequence of being there espied
But knew as well it bothered no one if he lived or died.

They caught him stealing water there when only twelve hours outPassengers all gathered round
him, when they heard the shout!
A stowaway, an Irish bum, the curse of all things British,
Letís just whack him on the head and feed him to the fishes.

They would have done that, Iíve no doubt, except for ladies present
They beat him up and let him go, they said now thatís sufficient
An English man named Henry Lloyd, insurance I believe,
Stepped forward with a bag of gold, and stuffed it in Dadís sleeve.

The Captain took a golden piece and took dad to a cabin
He shared it with a kindly man, by name of Bernard Patterson,
And thatís how father got his name, from these two kindly men
Who both had known the hardships of the life where dad had been.

So when my father stepped ashore, the Captain had insisted,
That this boy was registered as a ďPassenger AssistedĒ.
His papers stated who he was, his name was written down
Henry B. Lloyd-Patterson, Protected by the Crown.

They walked the Path in ninety-two, and made it to the square
And Henry Lloyd took care of him until the passing year
Patterson involved himself in
Canterbury
surveying
And let my father hold the staff they use while they are working.

Patterson had been a man renowned for formal learning
He loved the times he spent with dad because this boy was yearning
For the knowledge he could use to get himself ahead
To teach this eager little lad was privilege indeed.

My father was a clever man and loved a formal lesson
He studied engines at a works across from
Christchurch
station
The maths involved in bending rails appeared as his fortťHe started up his bending press in Woolston, New Yearís Day.

He started works in Melbourne,
and moved to AdelaideHe made a lot of money, he knew he had it made
He married Emily McNaught, a slender girl from DublinHe brought her home to
Christchurch
here, and built a house in Brighton.

War broke out when I was nine which caused such great concern
Young men died on the battlefields and we were shocked to learn
That Railway workers from our shops had joined the volunteers
Just one more ghastly piece of news confirmed my fatherís fears.

All the single men had gone, the married now were taken
Then the married with one child, those dreadful words were spoken
Father as an older man could have been stood down
They needed railway engineers, and Dad was in renown.

They said he didnít have to go, a man as old as him
But he became an officer when things were pretty grim
They said heíd never see the war, just build the Railway lines
Take charge of men with building skills, and supervise machines.

Never ever see the war?He
realised they were joking!
The Germans pulverised the land, Dad knew what he was facing
No railway line was ever built, the orders were quite blunt
They shoved a rifle in his hand and sent him to the front.

Youíve heard about the war in
France, and other points of battle?
Well, Dad got caught in seas of mud and men were killed like cattle.
A sniper got him in the leg while fighting on the SommeHe lost his leg below the knee and so they shipped him home.

Dad never spoke again of horrors he had seen
He made a little copper plaque with names of all his men
He knew of all the men he trained, the truth he couldnít hack
Out of thirty engineers ....... only six came back.

Trams were spreading like a net and dad became so wealthy
All those lines in Christchurch
here had made his banking healthy
When mother died he sold the works and took up cabinet-making
The Escritoire inside the door?
You saw as you were browsing?

He kept the house in Sandilands and all the land around
But thieves broke down its stout front door and burnt it to the ground.
Father wouldnít start again and came to live with me,
I must confess I found it sad, he could no longer see.

My duties as a Principal had always kept me busy
But Father never interfered, he never was that fussy
Then one night I heard him say, Emily my dear
Please come and sit and hold my hand, I know my end is near.

I cradled Father in my arms and watched the blue eyes sinking
I felt his gaunt frame heave a sigh, I knew what he was thinking
For seventy years heíd hid his hurt, and now this little lad
Would soon be back in BelfastTown, alongside Mum and
Dad.

Father left enough for me, enough for all my need
He was a man most generous, not a man of greed
I knew the massive wealth heíd had, and I would like to say,
Just like that Lloyd and Patterson, heíd given it all away.

Iím sorry you ignored your tea, I cannot heat it up
Thatís my car outside the door, Iíll quickly wash your cup
You are most kind to hear me out, you understand the term?
Henry B. Lloyd-Patterson, Founder of the Firm.

The world is silent way up here, and seldom does the bellbird call,
The tufted grass and rocky crags, bear muted witness to us all,
The distant mountains stretch away, like guardians clothed in majesty,
And sacred gems of snow and light, reflect the hopes they longed to see.

They brought to this country the faith of their fathers,And hopes for a new life across the sea.They thought we would value that hope of theirs, "Lest
we forget!Ē - their price to be free!

The Bridle Path has seen it all, the bullock cart, the tragic cold
The bleeding feet, the crying child, the widow now, just twelve years old.
And here they came from worlds away, they left their homes with great relief
They clustered at this rocky crag, and stared in heart-felt disbelief!

Would this be home, the question rose within their hearts, and sank
like stone
And loneliness too cruel to feel, would freeze each mortal to the bone.
They were our people, we are them, those first four ships, and many since
With babes in arms our people stood, and from this point was their first
glimpse.

A nation built on iron resolve, and breaking backs, maternal pain,
They worked for us, their blood and sweat, and gave their all so we might
gain.
They were the bravest of the brave, and we just called them mum and dad,
They drained the swamp, and ploughed the land, and gave us everything they
had.

Each passing generation knows, our debt to all who broke this land
Our peace, and all we know is ours, was won by those who made a stand.
For us they slogged, for us they died, they fought on many a foreign shore
The sun sinks low, I stand in awe, to honour those whoíve gone before.

The Pirates of Penzance is a great and worthy play
Where I find it interesting, the General has his say
The words he sings in that great play are worthy of a pat!
But he werenít no famous rugby star!Canít compete with that!

In my own case I sing out loud my own celestial praise
I think in rhymes like Socrates with each sweet turn of phrase
Poor Plato looks along side me a weak and childish brat
But I ainít no famous rugby star!Canít compete with that!

I try to shovel my own opinions down anotherís neck
I keep on talking all the time while youíre a nervous wreck
I could have been a great MP or famous diplomat
But I ainít no famous rugby star!Canít compete with that!

I have a great physique, you know, with muscles all around
I take the steps in dancing classes, in a single bound
My dietís so immaculate, like that of old Jack Sprat
But I ainít no famous rugby star!Canít compete with that!

My sexiness is known afar, and you are just so sweet
When it comes to wives like you, you sure are hard to beat
I might be on the chubby side, attractively quite fat
But I ainít no famous rugby star!Canít compete with that!

So when I know you think ofme, my fears are soon expressed
If I had been a millionaire youírd really be impressed
But in my heart I know Iím beat, Iím just a dumb old bat
And I ainít no famous ANYTHING!
They CANíT compete with that!

I read your Grandpaís letters, the ones that I could find
Bundled up in boxes with bits he left behind
A story from another time, from half a world away
People we will never know, ghosts from another day.

Your Grandpa never knew the time heíd have to say goodbye
The sea and sailing were his life with danger ever nigh
Together they would stand up there and look across the bay
Heíd kiss his sweetheart on the lips, and then sheíd hear him say

Light a little candle and put it in the window
The window of the little room that faces out to sea
When my ship beats Ďround the heads
Iíll see your little candle
And know my little lady-love is waiting there for me.

Through years of war and servitude he had the right idea
Those letters to your Grandma always hide his inmost fear
Heíd write what he was doing, then describe his love for her
And add that little paragraph ÖÖÖ.. please.

Light a little candle and put it in the window
The window of the little room that faces out to sea
When my ship beats Ďround the heads
Iíll see your little candle
And know my little lady-love is waiting there for me.

I never thought the time would come when we would say goodbye
I tried to love you every day and you would ask me why
But you have gone ahead of me you never gave me time
To add that little paragraph ÖÖÖ.. please,

Light a little candle and put it in the window
The window of the little room that faces out to sea
When my ship beats Ďround the heads
Iíll see your little candle
And know my little lady-love is waiting there for me.

Love like a glimmer of candlelight
Burns deep in your eyes
Sweet joy when two hearts combine
Your hands gently clasped in mine
Love when it came to us
Came oh so softly
So let our love-light shine
Shine, little candle
The love-light that holds us
Your hands gently clasped in mine.

Shine, little candle
The love-light that holds us
With joy from depths divine
Love in it's greatness will bind us together
Your hands gently clasped in mine.
Let me see it! Let me see it!
Let's see that love shine
A light your eyes enshrine
Let me see it! Let me see it!
Let's see that love-light
Your hands gentlyclasped in mine.

Love like a glimmer of candlelight
Burns deep in your eyes
Sweet joy when two hearts entwine
Your hands gently clasped in mineLet
me see it! Let me see it!
Let's see that love-light
A love two hearts combine
No words need I utter
Your eyes say it for me
Your hands gently clasped in mine.

Love like a glimmer of candlelight
Burns deep in your eyes
Sweet joy when two hearts entwine
Your hands gently clasped in mine
Love when it came to us
Came oh so softly
So let your love-light shine
Shine, little candle
I love you little love-light
Your hands gently clasped in mine.

The little fellow smiled as he walked across the street,
His little legs were short and plump, and nothing on his feet,
Quite unconcerned with shabby clothes, a joke heíd soon relate,
Deep in thought and humour, as he reached the iron gate.

He didnít see me standing there, observing how he moved,
The old brown house across from me, was where I knew he lived,
The gate as usual creaked out loud, and bashed itís usual tome,
Everybody in the house, knew someone else was home.

I followed him into his house, he never saw me there,
His mother and his father could not sense that I was there,
I am you in fifty years, I am what you will be,
Iíd like to tell you what itís like, to know that you are me.

Iíll just sit here quietly, youíll never know Iím here,
My little friend, there will not be, a change from year to year,
Iím still like you, I havenít changed, except, Iíd like to say,
In fifty years, I guess I wish, Iíd found a better way.

I visited my brother at his home the other day,
Thatís him sitting on the floor about to have his say,
He hates your guts as brothers do, relationships won't mend,And so I'llwarn you while I can, heíll
never be your friend.

You cannot see me sitting here, and listening to these prayers,
You grew up in this strange church, that plays on peopleís fears,
A way of life, thatís all you know, until you reach a date,
When all this strange religious stuff, will turn from love to hate.

Your father and your mother, will teach you all they know,
Youíll learn religious sentiment, and live on straight and narrow,
You wonít have friends, and you will find, that people close to you,
Will become your enemies, but somehow youíll get through.

So hereís your bedroom up these stairs, with hessian on the walls,
And cracks stuffed up with paper wads, between the rough sawn boards,
The windows donít fit neat and snug, to keep the weather out,
Was it worth it all this time, to be quite this devout?

To see into the future now, is more than you can fathom,
But I can talk to you right now, because of where Iím from,
Just as well you cannot see, the time span I have seen,
In another fifty years, youíll know where I have been.

If I can help at all, itís this, donít think itís only them,
Religious cranks who lose all sight, from what good thought will stem,
Wherever you will start to mix, with people in your life,
The same peculiar attitude, will cut you like a knife.

Perhaps youíll think it all too strange, that dogma rules the world,
It doesnít have to make good sense, just fit the ruling mould,
Ignore the cries of reason, donít see the slow decay,
Conform to what the others think, and look the other way.

Is it you, or is it them, this question you will ask,
I can answer for you now, donít set yourself this task,
The heart of man has never changed, whatís in this for me?
Take it all, or burn it down, with nothing left to see!

Each and every one of us, presumes that weíre important,
Like the sun goes round the earth, we think that Godís our servant,
If your logic pokes a hole, in someoneís self esteem,
Expect attack immediately!Just
leave them to their dream.

While Iím here, Iíd like to see, the backyard as it was,
The overgrowing orchard tree, we had such fun, because,
The hiding places that we found, the bugs, the moths, the lice,
To two small boys, and two small dogs, we lived in paradise.

But that will change, my little friend, youíll learn to keep away,
From people who will look with scorn, on juvenile play,
The next few years youíll wish you had, and if you wonder why,
The only pleasure those folks get, is ways to make you cry.

When you start to make a life, of what you want to do,
The parasites are out in force, to fleece you through and through,
They might not steal as openly, as German Nazis could,
Make no mistake they want their cut, on all your livelihood.

If we could see our enemy, weíd all know what to do,
Heís much too smart to put a face before the likes of you,
He takes his cut by making laws, youíll never know his name,
Would we allow a foreign tax?
Results are just the same.

Look around you, then you try, to work out whoíll say, ďNoĒ,
Whoíll say, ďYesĒ, and who they are, agree with both, and so,
Avoid the guy who states his mind in too few words, and rather,
Side with them who drown the truth in educated blather!

Take my advice, my little friend, conform in every way,
Donít try to be original, agree with all they say,
Donít use your brain, admit theyíre right,
Grow up like them, a bleeding intellectual parasite.

Itís time to go, my little friend, my dream begins to fade,
Iíll soon be back where I belong, and where I should have stayed,
Iím glad you didnít hear the things, that I have said to you,
Itís inborn drive that leads us all, to do the things we do.

Be yourself, you little rat, youíll win in better ways,
You donít need their mindless crap, that wastes our precious days,
Learn all you can, and where you can, and work in lifeís own college,
Then youíll reap the benefit of wisdom gleaned from knowledge.

Oh the joy of every day
for what each day is worth
Never thinking for a
moment of increasing girth
The scales inviting like
a beacon, beamed enticingly
The needle swung around
the dial, and slowly stopped on three.

Oh the pain of
knowing how exactly this occurred
Nature taking itís
own toll precisely as assured
A little research
here and there has brought about the facts
Our genes are more
responsible than simple human acts.

The guilt of knowing that
the good of others here and there
Badly compomised by me,
but then I think I fear
That stats relating to
my case resist close scrutiny
I join with all you
bigger guys, and stage a mutiny.

Pluck great names
from here and there, and thatís OK for some
Winston Churchill
Ďway up there, and Englandís old Queen Mum
It crossed my mind to
concentrate, while aching with the stitch
A lot less time on
exercise and more on getting rich.

IĎm so glad for all the
facts, and there are lots of those
There is more in healthy
living than one might suppose
Of all the famous people
that are known for age and health
They had one famous
attribute, and that was their great wealth.

Pluck great names
from here and there, and thatís OK for some
Winston Churchill
Ďway up there, and Englandís old Queen Mum
It crossed my mind to
concentrate, while aching with the stitch
A lot less time on
exercise and more on getting rich.

Our seasons are changing, the chill in the air
Is now leading my soul into thoughts of despair
But if everybody changes and this world seems unfair
My thoughts are still with you, I still love you, my dear.

Tricks love likes playing are so often unkind
No-one reasons with such love in their mind
All our common sense values will be left far behind
When we yearn with our heart, for a lost-love, whom we know we wonít find.

But time moved you on and Iíll never know why
There was never a chance of us saying goodbye
Only images of your sweet smile are left in my mindís eye
When hopes of me holding you again finally die.

Thereís no special heartache, thereís no special pain
There is no special sorrow nor hoping in vain
Every longing in my dreaming is asking our love chain
Please put your arms around me and love me again.

The fence between their place and ours became a battle zone
The 16 kids of Hodson tribe had claimed it as their own
While on their turf the Hodson kids would fight without a reason
But then that screech would rend the air let loose from Mama Hodson.

Dunnah lah to me, ya toad, ya grubby liíl brat
Them fancy words are more akin to feed a starviní rat
Ya got the angels buzzing round in all a steam and lather
Ya goiní to hell that Iíll be bound just like ya bloody father.

Poor Mama Hodson doomed in life with 16 kids in tow
How she controlled those 16 kids perhaps weíll never know
But strangely when we met each kid at school or at the sports ground
We got on fine all us kids did without parental rebound.

When seated in the schoolroom class Sam Hodson next to me
Just us two kids attending school, and it was plain to see
Whatever Hodson bore in life compared with that of others
That screech that echoed through that fence was like so many mothers.

Dunnah lah to me, ya toad, ya grubby liíl brat
Them fancy words are more akin to feed a starviní rat
Ya got the angels buzzing round in all a steam and latherYa goiní to hell that Iíll be bound just like ya bloody father.

I met Sam Hodson many times with work and CMT
Then later on at business school, the High School Jubilee
I could not help but envy him that he turned out successful
That quiet grin heíd give to me, and then heíd sing this earful.

Dunnah lah to me, ya toad, ya grubby liíl brat
Them fancy words are more akin to feed a starviní rat
Ya got the angels buzzing round in all a steam and lather
Ya goiní to hell that Iíll be bound just like ya bloody father.

Through one thousand years of conflict, and another age before,
Time begins to blur beneath the weight of constant war,
Although the human spirit still reserves its right to roam,
Every nation wants a place its people still call home.

So you talk to us in music and we try to understand,
Feelings which are coming from a far and distant land,
We share your love of harmony, enjoy a joke or two,
Drink your health and clap and cheer the same as you all do.

We say home is where the heart is and its music calms the soul,
Lifts the spirits higher and its precious notes console,
We have the strangest longings for a place weíve never been,
Music makes us homesick for a land weíve never seen.

When the time-worn melodies remind each person of some truth,
Old folks smile and think again of something in their youth,
A wink, a kiss, and more than that, a log-forgotten sigh,
Lost in air-raid sirens and a drumbeat from the sky.

We say home is where the heart is and its music calms the soul,
Lifts the spirits higher and its precious notes console,
So play to us and sing your songs, express your thoughts, feel free,
Know we are your kith and kin from far across the sea.

So you talk to us in music and we try to understand,
Feelings which are coming from a far and distant land,
We share your love of harmony, enjoy a joke or two,
Drink your health and clap and cheer the same as you all do.

The kids were so eager for latest instalments
Oflife as it used to be
What was it like in the olden days
Of battles and camíradarieThe talent displayed and my mighty
successHow much history is owing to meThereís no doubt in my mind, the
older I getThe better I used to be.

Of course it seemed right with these stories to tell
With little bits polished with time
A story that could easily have bored them to tears
With skill it could turn out sublimeThe talent displayed and my mighty successHow much history is owing to meThereís no doubt in my mind, the
older I getThe better I used to be.

It sort ofseemed right to gloss over
facts
Unlike the books on the shelf
The Vietnam war was a messy affair
But I won that war all by myselfThe talent displayed and my mighty
successHow much history is owing to meThereís no doubt in my mind, the
older I getThe better I used to be.

The day that the satellite landed on Mars
And the NASA team toasted in wine
I explained to my kids that the hardware involved
Was made to my secret design.The talent displayed and my mighty
successHow much history is owing to meThereís no doubt in my mind, the
older I getThe better I used to be.

To account for the millions I had made and then lost
When it was plain there was nothing to get
It seemed quite apparent when carefully explained
I had lost the whole lot in a bet.The talent displayed and my mighty
successHow much history is owing to meThereís no doubt in my mind, the
older I getThe better I used to be.

My strength and my intellect put to the test
Impressed all the strong guys around
Whenever they needed great leadership skills
They knew that in me it was found.The talent displayed and my mighty
successHow much history is owing to meThereís no doubt in my mind, the
older I getThe better I used to be.

Piggy number one was a smart and savvy guy
As far as reproduction goes, then why not have a try
He married in a hurry, he knew what girls were for
He moved to Bexley by the hills and built a house of straw.

The southerly ripped up the plains with peristalitic force
And tore wee piggyís house apart, which we all know of course
But no one knew insurance claims were really quite absurd
With all the small print piggy found behind the Bold Type word.

Piggy number two had a wondrous great idea
Build a house of weatherboard
Ďcos that would take the wear
Brace the studs inside the walls and line the place with gib
He never knew the building code was one great monstrous fib.

He never knew the land beneath was scarely more than bog
Regulations for the site were legalistic fog
The council made a lot of hoot by taking in the fees
Now poor piggy has a site not even good for trees.

Piggy number three we know, had built a house of bricks
Being clever as he was, he revelled in the tricks
Permanent and spacious and hereís the living proof
Piggyís house is spacious now heís lost his walls and roof.

Piggy number four is a new one of his kind
Somewhere therein Merivale, that is
where youíll find.
A smarty guy with all the gear, a house of great tiltslab
He did his homework like a pro, although the place is drab.

For character in dwellings poor piggy number four
Had the taste of who knows what, excepting for the floor
Well, it was made of concrete, and when the quake ripped through
Designer floors are not that strong, the whole place spilt in two.

The moral of the story goes when thinking what they did
Insurances are worthless now, an ever sinking lid.
Four piggies show us how to plan, you might just like to try
Living someplace else is good, a place like Gundagai.

Sunshine belies that the
storm clouds are gathering
Puffs of white vapour are turning to grey.
The fishermen stare at the sky as it changes
And notice the white caps far out in the bay
Boats are arriving too soon at the sand bar
The crews apprehensive are racing the call
The birds on the sea wall are bracing for conflict
That lonely old statue is guarding them all.

Greymouth was settled by
hardworking coal miners
Familes involved in this life and death game
The fishermen risking each trip on the sandbar
And trusted survival in calling Godís name.
Trusting each other together for honesty
Risked their own lives for their children and wife
A stranger was welcome and here is the story
He saved all those children and lost his own life.

Plaques to remember the
greatness of strangers
A fisherman statue with unseeing eyes
Although famous cities contain works of beauty
Much closer to home stories touch all our lives.
Storm clouds pass over, we sigh with conviction
Relate to the people who knew from the start
To people who helped us without any prompting
The kindness of strangers is near to Godís heart.

The luck of the Irish, where legends are made
Diaspora filling these shores
No-one could guess that the fate of the Irish
Is summed up by clutching at straws.Our first born was Billy, and then we
had Gracie,Then Winnie and Darcy and PaulIn spite of the groaning, the heaving
and moaningWe mostly got nothing at all.

The greatest of people, the heroes of men
From Ireland
these great people hailed
Leaders of armies, who lead by exampleWhen all other systems had failed.Old Ireland
is still in a great shocking messForeign bankers are having a ballWhile millions of euros are drowning
the wealthyWe mostly got nothing at all.

The luck of the Irish, as history records
The ages some families may span
It all seemed so simple when faced with a conflict
We thought that our God was a man.We may get excited when thinking of
IrelandOur
links to that country are smallWhen Gaelic and Celtic has finally
worn outWe mostly got nothing at all.

The joy of a song and a joke on the run
We drink to them saving the whales
Smoke screen and mirrors is lining their pockets
With profits from great asset sales.The luck of the Irish, though times
keep on changingAs people we proudly stand tallIn spite of the groaning, the heaving
and moaningWe mostly got nothing at all.

The stillness of the sea, and the moonís reflected light
Are enough to gladden heart of God and man
In the clearness of the night
All the stars are shining bright
With the shimmer of a great celestial plan
Harbour lights are twinkling there
Men arranging fishing gear
And the freighters lying idle from the sea
Soon the cranes will start to swing
All the sea birds take to wing
And the sun will greet again this place and me.

The steeply sloping hills make a natural picture frame
Bathed in light and shadow from a fading moon
Every valley has itís name
But itís shadows look the same
All the shadows know they all will vanish soon
Now the early morning breeze
After soughing through the trees
Smells of pinewood mixed with salt air from the sea
In the gently rolling tide
Porpoises will leap and glide
And the sun will greet again this place and me.

Above the watcherís head shines the brilliant morning star
As the sky begins to fade to pale blue
There is nothing here to jar
From the distant cliffs afar
To a tranquil sun from rising right on cue
Great creation has no fears
Whatís another thousand years
Is there anything as timeless as the sea
By the faintest rays of dawn
Yet another day is born
And the sun will greet again this place and me.

Whatever fate offers from coffers of diamonds
From crowns and rich dresses embroidered in pearls
From so many gifts of rare fruit and sweet almonds
That catch the attention of princes and earls
The moonlight and roses of
romantic stories
The notions of class with itís fashions and style
The rich and the famous are steeped in their glories
My whole world lit up when you gave me a smile

Our life is so fleeting, we wonder at nature
That curls up so much in a short space of time
Surrounded we are with such wealth in great measure
We play out our strange part in lifeís pantomime
It is no delusion that earthly opinions
Are centred on prospects of wealth and reward
Above all the clamour of false hope dominions
Thereís something much greater than money to hoard.

Time is important when moments so precious
Are gleaned from a landscape of grass and blue sky
Unravel true stories from happenings outrageous
Admire those great natures ofbeings on high
From moments recorded from time and eternity
Earthly bound prospects are part of our life
Above all the humdrum of human activity
Youíre a safe haven from bustle and strife

Therein lies the story thatís really worth telling
The love that we have for our family and friends
That powerful bonding all strengths far exceeding
Goes on to a future where time never ends.
The smile that you gave me is worth more than riches
Your innocent charm is worth more than fine gold
The way that you look at me, so sweet and guiltless
Iíll say it in song, youíre a joy to
behold.

So easy to say in my heart that I love you
Words hide in silence like gold in a stream
Treasuries of thoughts are stored in my memory
Nothing, will ever, shatter my dream.
Sunshine, shadows, starlings, sparrows
Pine trees shelter these quiet gardens
Pathways meandering through the roses
Our little creek glistens.

Beneath rolling branches ofgrey
hanging plumage
Silence resides in this loved little place
Our rustic bridge stares down as St Albans Creek
Bubbles, along at, natureís own pace.
Play grounds, back grounds, plant mounds, life abounds
Just to be here with you on this day
Shadows playing in the fountains
Sun lights up our pathway.

We stand on the bridge and remember the good times
Voices of nature will call to us here
Holding your hand we watch as the water flows
Ever, together, loving you near
Warm breeze, Honey bees, Pine trees, Blossom trees
Let me whisper these words so true
You are one of lifeís great beauties
Joy just to be with you.

Human beings we
believe Ö.. are the smartest thing around
High regarded literature ÖÖ. From the worldís best minds abound
Our status as a master kind is not in great dispute
And as a non-descript type speciman you really are quite cute.

In the story as it
goes ÖÖ as we know weíve all been taught
Us absorbing all the facts ÖÖ. taking notes as pupils ought
But something there is missing still in science I can see
If youíre so smart as they believe it so, then why did you marry me?

Scientific testing
schemes Ö.. always proved beyond all doubt
Humans are the smartest thing ÖÖ brains is what itís all about
As perfect as a creature is, as ever they could find
But when it comes to natural beauty, you will always spring to my mind.

Somewhere there along the track Ö.. of this modern reason lineScientists explain
to us, Ö.. all thosetheories
are just fineThe dumb things
human beings do, pure science canít explainWhy canít we do
something quite silly and get married all over again.

Maybe there is
something there Ö.. far outside of our small range
That explains my love for you, Ö.. even now you still find strange
How come that I can look at you, and impolitely gloat
The birds and the bees should all sit back to back and gleefully take note.

Somewhere there along the track Ö.. of this modern reason lineScientists explain
to us, Ö.. all those theories are
just fineThe dumb things
human beings do, pure science canít explainWhy canít we do
something quite silly and get married all over again.

Words can come quickly, inspired by lifeís beauty
Through joy and through love and through pain
I can draw every metaphor
Find words Iím searching for
Summer and through winter rain
Instead of the seasons,
The seas of the nations
Surrendered this valuable pearl!
Iíve said it before and Iíll say it again
ďYouíre one helluvver beautiful girl!Ē

I draw inspiration from people around me
I see a sweet smile on a face
I draw from impression
And make a decision
To believe there is hope in our race
From songs that we sing
And bells that we ring
Mandolin to a bag-piperís skirl
Iíve said it before and Iíll say it again
ďYouíre one helluvver beautiful girl!Ē

No shortage of image to lift my heartís yearnings
To find words to say how I feel
Can I make a pretence
With words so intense
When my longings for you are so real
I ask in advance
To enjoy a close dance
To set up my life in a whirl
Iíve said it before and Iíll say it again
ďYouíre one helluvver beautiful girl!Ē